2022 BWEF Scholarship Recipients Announced
Congratulations to our 2022 scholarship recipients. All students will receive certificates of scholarship at senior recognition night on May 25. We will award more than $15,000 in scholarship value, tripling our scholarship amount since 2018. Thank you to our community partners for your support.
BWEF Annual Scholarships
BWEF Annual Scholarships
- Greta Gorman, presented by Baldwin High School Class of 1971
- Erin Hampton, presented by Carrie on Communication
- Sofia Khatiwada, presented by Definitely You, Inc.
- Jaden Philips, presented by Baldwin-Whitehall Educational Foundation
- Elianna Sinkule, presented by HHSDR Architects and Engineers
- Ava Jo Russin
- Sierra Schmidt
- Emma Damiani
- Neveen Khalil
- Russell Tortoreti
Book Vending Machine Arrives at Whitehall Elementary School
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"How do I get a book?" That was the question of the day as students gazed in excitement at the brand new book vending machine at Whitehall Elementary School. The machine was introduced during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 20 and welcomed by a group of students eager to put the machine to the test. "I was really excited and proud to be the first one to pick out a book," said Summer W., a second-grade student at Whitehall. Summer holds the distinction of being the first-ever student to earn a book from the vending machine. The District's technology services team decorated three sides of machine with a custom artwork wrap created by Nathan Redding of Baldwin High School, whose original design was voted the best submission of a District-wide student artwork contest that the foundation hosted in December 2021. The design features two students reading atop a stack of books with inspirational quotes from various authors on the spines of each book. Additionally, there is room on each side to display new student artwork throughout the year. Fourth-grade student Addie A. was also among the first group of book recipients. "It was very cool to get a book from the vending machine," she said. Both Summer's and Addie's art designs are displayed on the wrap. "I felt so honored to have my artwork put on the machine," Addie said. |
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Book vending machines incentivize students to make kind, positive choices in order to receive a gold coin that can be redeemed for a book. Kristy Frohliger, STEAM/Media specialist in the District and coordinator of the project, noted that the Baldwin-Whitehall School District is one of the first districts in the Pittsburgh area to install a book vending machine inside one of its schools. "This machine will most definitely have a positive impact on our students' behaviors and reading levels," she said.
Ms. Frohliger could feel the enthusiasm growing as soon as the machine became visible to students. "When the day came for the first students to get a book, the energy in the lobby was contagious," she said. "What a thrill for us to be able to tell the kids to enjoy their books. We will update the machine regularly with the most current books that students love to read, so it will always be a special activity for them."
"I am so happy that the dream of having a book vending machine in the school came to fruition," Ms. Frohliger said. Funding for the machine was made possible through individual donations at DonorsChoose.com, the Dollar General Literacy Fund, and a faculty innovations grant provided by the Baldwin-Whitehall Educational Foundation.
Kyla, a fifth-grade student who attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, indicated that the machine was already serving its intended purpose. "I was excited to be one of the first to try out the new book vending machine," Kyla said, "and I picked a Babysitters Club book. I hope I can earn more rewards for another book before the end of the school year."
Ms. Frohliger could feel the enthusiasm growing as soon as the machine became visible to students. "When the day came for the first students to get a book, the energy in the lobby was contagious," she said. "What a thrill for us to be able to tell the kids to enjoy their books. We will update the machine regularly with the most current books that students love to read, so it will always be a special activity for them."
"I am so happy that the dream of having a book vending machine in the school came to fruition," Ms. Frohliger said. Funding for the machine was made possible through individual donations at DonorsChoose.com, the Dollar General Literacy Fund, and a faculty innovations grant provided by the Baldwin-Whitehall Educational Foundation.
Kyla, a fifth-grade student who attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, indicated that the machine was already serving its intended purpose. "I was excited to be one of the first to try out the new book vending machine," Kyla said, "and I picked a Babysitters Club book. I hope I can earn more rewards for another book before the end of the school year."
Surprise Funding: 11 Grants Awarded During Teaching Appreciation Week
On May 3, 2022, BWEF surprised several faculty by fully funding 11 projects listed on DonorsChoose.com. Our support, matched at 50% by Sonic Drive-In, created nearly $3,500 in innovation grants value for eight different faculty at three different schools:
On May 3, 2022, BWEF surprised several faculty by fully funding 11 projects listed on DonorsChoose.com. Our support, matched at 50% by Sonic Drive-In, created nearly $3,500 in innovation grants value for eight different faculty at three different schools:
- Building a Love of Reading : Maeve Hendricks, Whitehall Elementary School
- Cozy Calm Down Corner: Alexandra Hasis, Whitehall Elementary School
- Get Hooked on a Book: Caitlin Haniotakis, Whitehall Elementary School
- Loving Life in Biology, Environment and Scientific Inquiry: Tina Gaser, Baldwin High School
- Novel Studies Rock: Angela Siler, Whitehall Elementary School
- Putting Skills to Work with Ukeleles: Megan Kraus, Whitehall Elementary School
- Success with STEAM Supplies : Kristen Knorr, J.E. Harrison Education Center
- Wild Reading Adventure with Wild Robot Escapes, Many Faces of Magna Tiles, Full STEAM Ahead: Angela Rusnica, Whitehall Elementary School
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Mini Golf Outing: Aug. 2 at Cool Springs
We will host the second annual mini golf outing presented by HHSDR Architects & Engineers at Cool Springs on Tuesday, August 2, from 4-8 p.m. Join us for an evening of mini golf, games, prizes, and fun in the sun--all while supporting a good cause! Multiple sponsorship levels are available and all sponsors/donors will be acknowledged online, in social media, and during the event. |
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Pittsburgh Steelers, Huntington National Bank
Donate $5,000 Each to BWEF
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This past fall, the Baldwin-Whitehall Educational Foundation received two separate $5,000 donations to support multiple educational improvement initiatives throughout the Baldwin-Whitehall School District.
On Nov. 2, BWEF received a $5,000 donation from Huntington National Bank through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development's Educational Improvement Tax Credit program [EITC]. The gift will be used to support BWEF's faculty innovation grants initiatives and special projects. Through the EITC program, businesses can reduce their tax burdens through donations to the foundation. We'd like to thank Huntington National Bank for their support. On Nov. 8, the Pittsburgh Steelers and United States Steel Corporation jointly honored U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Rear Admiral Susan Orsega (BHS '86) with a $5,000 directed donation to support science, technology, engineering, and mathematics [STEM] activities at Baldwin High School. Thank you, Rear Admiral Orsega, for your service, and thank you to the Pittsburgh Steelers and U.S. Steel for their generosity. |
Rear Admiral Susan Orsega and family. Nov. 8, 2021
Huntington National Bank donated $5,000 to BWEF.
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Pathways to Support BWEF
There are a variety of ways to support the Baldwin-Whitehall Educational Foundation. Whether you want to become a community partner, establish an endowment fund, attend/host a fundraiser, or join the foundation as a member, we are always looking for ways to expand our network and our impact.
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The Baldwin-Whitehall Educational Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization that supports
innovation and excellence in the Baldwin-Whitehall School District.